Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
        
(Message started by: phydeaux on Sep 12^th, 2005, 5:49pm)

Title: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by phydeaux on Sep 12^th, 2005, 5:49pm

I have been taking kudzu root and ergotamine (in conjunction with lithium) for about 5 days now, and I've been throwing up a lot more than normal. In fact, I used to hardly barf at all. Now I've popped three times in the last 5 days. I make sure that I take the meds on a full stomach (or at least after eating something substantial) and am wondering if this is a "normal" side effect, or is something else going on? This is my first try at Kudzu and ergotamine, so I have no baseline to refer to.

Oh, and as of yet, no effect on the HA either. How long do these normally take to have an effect?

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 12^th, 2005, 7:32pm

I could be wrong about this, but .... my understanding of Kudzu was that it shouldn't be mixed with any other meds or alternative treatments.

However, I'm behind on my reading, so you might check with Nani.

I hate barfing .... Kris

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by phydeaux on Sep 12^th, 2005, 7:41pm

Oh man, I hate it as well. One thing, ok, no, TWO things. One, whats a Nani? And two, if SJ is San Jose, Ca, thats no small town I hate to tell ya...heh heh heh...

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 12^th, 2005, 7:59pm

SJ actually stands for St. Joseph, Michigan, which is indeed a very small town on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Nani is a veteran board member who was one of the first to try the Kudzu thing. She may very well come along and join this thread or if you look under the original thread on Kudzu and find one of her posts, just click on her name. You'll get the option to send a PM (private message) to her.

Private messaging is one of the great things about this board, though sometimes it takes awhile to find it.

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by nani on Sep 12^th, 2005, 8:08pm

Hi phy... I'm the nani. LOL
I believe you may be the first to use kudzu and ergotamine. I checked a drug interaction site and found this:

Quote:

No interactions were found for the drugs you selected.
You searched for interactions between the following drugs and herbs:

Ergotamine Sublingual Tablets
Kudzu
Lithium

I also googled ergotamine and found this:

Quote:

What are the possible side effects of ergotamine?
• Stop taking ergotamine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience.
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· chest pain;
· numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes;
· muscle pain in the arms or legs;
· leg weakness;
· changes in heart rate;
· swelling; or
· itching.
• Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take ergotamine and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea or vomiting. • Ergotamine may be habit forming when used for long periods of time. Larger doses may be needed for headache relief, and withdrawal effects may occur when treatment with ergotamine is stopped.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

I will say that no one that I recall mentioned nausea or vomiting from kudzu. Dizzyness and gastro intestinal um, issues, were the most common side effects.
Talk to your dr or pharmacist, just to be sure. Here is a link to a page you can print and show him.

http://med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Kudzu

You haven't said how much kudzu you are taking and how often you're taking them. It can take some time to find the right dosage and schedule. Also, I'm afraid it doesn't work for everyone. Give me more info and I'll see what I can offer.

Pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by floridian on Sep 12^th, 2005, 9:00pm

Mixing kudzu with triptans or ergot alkaloids is not a good idea. Several people have reported increased gas and more frequent bowel movements. Combine it with ergotamine, and it could definitely intensify the gastro side effects of ergotamine. If kudzu works for you, you wouldn't need ergotamine anyway.

http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Kudzu

Talk to a doctor (who is going to tell you to quit one or the other).

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by phydeaux on Sep 12^th, 2005, 9:30pm

Spasebo to all!

OK, Since I was taking the kudzu on my own (having ehard about it here, LOL!!) I'll drop it. My doc has me on the lithium/ergotomine combo, so I'll let that play out.

Big thanks to all for your responses! Hope you all have better luck than I am!

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by JohnWF on Sep 13^th, 2005, 7:54pm

Hello:

I just thought I would add my experience, although you've already been given quite a bit of advice.

I have been taking Kudzu and Ergotomine Tartate since June. A very few times, besides taking the Egotomine Tartate right before bed, I would also take a Cafergot at mid-day (Cafergot is Ergotomine w/caffeine). During this time, I have experience very few side effects at all, but as Floridian points out, have had at times excessive gas.

Is it possible the litium is making you throw up? Everyone is right about checking with the Dr. However, doctors don't have data on Kudzu, so are hesitant to give opinions that mean anything.

This is my experience; I hope it helps a little.

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by phydeaux on Sep 14^th, 2005, 12:24am

Well, I actually stopped both, and all the stomach excitement seems to have gomne away. I'm going to try the ergotamine again tonight, and see what it does on it's own. I spoke to a pharmacist today, and he thought the stomach stuff was coincidence, as in his opinion it was not a noted side effect of ergotamine or kudzu.

I'll just have to experiment and see what happens...

Title: Re: Kudzu/Ergotamine side effects
Post by Bob P on Sep 14^th, 2005, 8:46am

Having used cafergot for during my cluster cycles for the past 35 years I can tell you nausea is a side effect of cafergot:
Gastrointestinal: Nausea and vomiting; (from RX List)